Parallels and meridians
In order to find any place on Earth, a system of 
imaginary lines is used. These lines are called 
parallels and meridians.
   
Parallels
Parallels are imaginary lines that
circle the Earth. These lines are
parallel to the equator. The
equator is the principal parallel.
Parallels are numbered from the
equator to the poles in degrees
from 0º to 90º. Parallels
measure latitude. Latitude is the
distance between any point on
the Earth and the equator. Any
place north of the equator is in
the northern hemisphere. Any
place south of the equator is in
the southern hemisphere.
   
Meridians
Meridians are imaginary lines that
run from pole to pole. The
Greenwich meridian is meridian
zero or the principal meridian,
sometimes called the Prime
meridian. Meridians are
numbered in degrees from 0º to
180º, east and west of the
Greenwich meridian. Meridians
enable us to measure longitude.
Longitude is the distance between
any point on the Earth and the
Greenwich meridian. Points west
of the Greenwich meridian are in
the eastern hemisphere.
   
The equator
● The equator the imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the 
sphere's axis of rotation between the poles. It divides the 
Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern 
Hemisphere. Other planets and astronomical bodies have 
equators similarly defined. The Equator is about 40,075 
kilometres. The 78.7% of the Equator across water, and 
21.3% is over land.
● Equator means line of equality. This is because the Sun and the 
stars take the same time to beabove the horizon that below 
him.
● The equator goes throght a country called Equator. This 
country, is situated in the South of America.
   
The meridian of Greenwich
● It is called the meridian of 
Greenwich, because it 
goes trought a village 
called Greenwich. This 
village, is situated in 
England, in the United 
Kingdom (UK).
● It is called too the prime 
meridian, or the 
meridian zero.
   
The co-ordinates
● When we put the longitude and latitude of a place 
together, we have the co­ordinates of the location.
● The point where coincide the Ecuador and the 
meridian of Greenwich, has the coordinates of 0º 
(Zero degrees). It is next to Africa, in the Atlantic 
Ocean.
   
The co-ordinates
● When we put the longitude and latitude of a place 
together, we have the co­ordinates of the location.
● The point where coincide the Ecuador and the 
meridian of Greenwich, has the coordinates of 0º 
(Zero degrees). It is next to Africa, in the Atlantic 
Ocean.

Parallelsandmeridians1 130218083301-phpapp01

  • 1.
        Parallels andmeridians In order to find any place on Earth, a system of  imaginary lines is used. These lines are called  parallels and meridians.
  • 2.
        Parallels Parallels areimaginary lines that circle the Earth. These lines are parallel to the equator. The equator is the principal parallel. Parallels are numbered from the equator to the poles in degrees from 0º to 90º. Parallels measure latitude. Latitude is the distance between any point on the Earth and the equator. Any place north of the equator is in the northern hemisphere. Any place south of the equator is in the southern hemisphere.
  • 3.
        Meridians Meridians areimaginary lines that run from pole to pole. The Greenwich meridian is meridian zero or the principal meridian, sometimes called the Prime meridian. Meridians are numbered in degrees from 0º to 180º, east and west of the Greenwich meridian. Meridians enable us to measure longitude. Longitude is the distance between any point on the Earth and the Greenwich meridian. Points west of the Greenwich meridian are in the eastern hemisphere.
  • 4.
        The equator ●The equator the imaginary line, that is perpendicular to the  sphere's axis of rotation between the poles. It divides the  Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern  Hemisphere. Other planets and astronomical bodies have  equators similarly defined. The Equator is about 40,075  kilometres. The 78.7% of the Equator across water, and  21.3% is over land. ● Equator means line of equality. This is because the Sun and the  stars take the same time to beabove the horizon that below  him. ● The equator goes throght a country called Equator. This  country, is situated in the South of America.
  • 5.
        The meridianof Greenwich ● It is called the meridian of  Greenwich, because it  goes trought a village  called Greenwich. This  village, is situated in  England, in the United  Kingdom (UK). ● It is called too the prime  meridian, or the  meridian zero.
  • 6.
        The co-ordinates ●When we put the longitude and latitude of a place  together, we have the co­ordinates of the location. ● The point where coincide the Ecuador and the  meridian of Greenwich, has the coordinates of 0º  (Zero degrees). It is next to Africa, in the Atlantic  Ocean.
  • 7.
        The co-ordinates ●When we put the longitude and latitude of a place  together, we have the co­ordinates of the location. ● The point where coincide the Ecuador and the  meridian of Greenwich, has the coordinates of 0º  (Zero degrees). It is next to Africa, in the Atlantic  Ocean.